Gerard Whately says we have witnessed the start of something special in tennis star Nick Kyrgios

Australia's Nick Kyrgios is set for a stellar tennis career.Source:AFP

THERE’S nothing quite so thrilling as the first glimpse of an enduring talent.

Internationally or domestically. Across any sport or code.

James Rodriguez looks just as likely to front a boy band but the 22-year-old Colombian striker has thrilled the World Cup in his initial steps toward global football domination.

Marcus Bontempelli gladdened every Bulldog heart commanding the final crazed minutes of a thriller as if playing his eighth career match in slow motion.

Such moments contain the fleck of what’s to come, when all that has been foretold peeks through.

The arrival of Nick Kyrgios this past fortnight was globally thrilling, drawing in luminaries from John McEnroe to Roger Federer.

Sport craves both enduring champions and regular regeneration.

The teenage prodigy is a vibrant and welcome cast member. That an Australian has read for the role has proven locally intoxicating.

For a nation that craves credible involvement in the majors we’ve made do with the fading days of Lleyton Hewitt and the anguished ways of Sam Stosur.

Throughout the barren years though the agitated and perennially disappointed were sustained by the Prophecy of the Ks. The promise of Kyrgios and Kokkinakis.

The first of the chosen ones is now with us.

The summer apparition, post-midnight on Margaret Court Arena in the second round of the Australian Open, was made flesh at Wimbledon.

Those that watched in January against French seed Benoit Paire were left with a powerful impression. A confident figure with a big game lacking only the physical endurance that comes with experience and age.

The sensible rightly preached patience. But things happen quickly for the dedicated and precociously talented.

Last week Kyrgios won his reputation with a staggering comeback win against Richard Gasquet.

The differentiation was made that the 19-year-old didn’t retreat to the trenches for a grizzly fight as vanquishment was repeatedly a point away, but rather maintained an easy confidence and tangible assuredness that he would prevail.

This week Kyrgios won the crowd with his audacious dumping of Rafael Nadal. From his Tattoo Tape to his pink headphones, the world number 144 exuded confidence even in the face of his mum’s pessimistic prediction.

This is where Kyrgios becomes the curious. His game is wondrous and monstrous. He is endowed with power but not at the expense of court craft.

His playing demeanour is brash to the point of arrogant. He has a discernible swagger and craves the decisive moments.

Yet he’s proving utterly respectful of the game and his elders. He was tremendously gracious toward Gasquet, shared the honour of facing Nadal and sincerely wished his conqueror Milos Raonic continued success.

Kyrgios took Australia on his excellent adventure at the All England Club. Rather than shutting off the external excitement he feasted on it.

His family was splendidly accommodating and utterly charming recounting stories of the podgy boy too keen on the home-cooked Greek food.

As a coming-out party it could barely have gone better ending when it did simply because he isn’t yet ready.

There’s a responsibility to greet this with a sense of realism to balance the rushing enthusiasm.

Part of that though is to understand Kyrgios is precisely where he wants to be. He’s not shirking from it so neither should we.

It throws the challenge to Bernard Tomic who has spent the three years since reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals as an elite sport slacker quick with excuses and a woe-be-me attitude.

If he retains a shred of competitive spirit he will recognise and take up the challenge and opportunity thrust before him.

The headlines and spotlight have been his out of necessity. If he doesn’t truly progress and fulfil his potential he will quickly and gladly be forgot.

For Thanasi Kokkinakis it will light the way and drive him relentlessly to take up his part of what has long been a shared destiny. To transform Australian tennis.